1578: William Bourne, a former Royal Navy gunner, is known for designing the first sumbersible craft. Although he drew up significant designs, he never got to the building stage.
1620:The first recorded submarine to be built was created by the Dutchman Cornelis Jacobszoon Drebbel. The submersible was described as a wooden rowboat encased by leather. He overcame the issue of a continuous air supply while submerged.
1680: Giovanni Borelli later made another significant contribution to the modern submarine we know of today. He had the idea of using sheep skins as a type of ballast. These skins were filled with water causing the submarine to descend. This same idea is used in modern ships and submarines.
1776: It wasn't until much later that the submarine was used for offensive naval reasons. The Turtle submarine built by David Bushnell was a one-man human powered submarine. The hand powered sub allowed the operator to attach an explosive to the underneath of a ship. Although Bushnell was an American graduate of Yale, this design impacted submersible design globally.
1798: Completed in 1801, the submarine Nautilus had a similar purpose as its predecessor, the Turtle. Robert Fulton designed this submarine on a grant from Napoleon Bonaparte. The one modification made to this design was the incorporation of both a sail for surface propulsion, as well as a man powered propeller for when the vessel was submerged.
1895: Almost a century later, the first mechanically powered submersible vessel came into existense. John P. Holland introduced both the Holland VII and later the Holland VIII. These submarines alllowed for prolonged cruiing as well as increased speed. Petroleum engines powered the submarine while on the surface, while electric motors propelled the vessel whil submerged. Also, a few years later in 1904, the French Aigette was similar submarine that used diesel instead of peutoleum. This was a huge leap towards the modern-day design of submarines.
1943: Another significant modification in submarine design was the incorporation of the snorkel. This allowed the powerful deisel engines to de used while submerged. The only downside to this feature was the limited depth. The first boat to use this was also the first in a long line of succesful submarines. The German U-Boat U-264 was one of the first German vessels to successfully use this design. This progression allowed submarines to come to the forefront of naval warfare.
1954: The true moden submarine truly came into existence in the early 50's. The United States launched the first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Nautilus. This innovative power source allows the subs to be more deadly than ever before. The issue of refueling or surfacing is nearly completly taken out of the equation. in the later 50's small design issues were tweeked. These included the introduction of the tear-drop hull shape. The USS Albacore was the first sub to use this design. In 1959, however, the USS George Washington brought ballistic missile onto submarines, once again improving the arsenal on these deadly machines. These designs were quickly incorporated in European subs.
Subs have continued to grow in size, as well as power. These machines are some of the most advanced and stealthy technology on the planet. What started as an invention that barely got off the ground, is now one of the worlds most formidable weapons prowling the seas. With their capabilities and possibilities, the submarine will continue to advance.
Evolution of the Submarine:
1578: William Bourne, a former Royal Navy gunner, is known for designing the first sumbersible craft. Although he drew up significant designs, he never got to the building stage.
1620:The first recorded submarine to be built was created by the Dutchman Cornelis Jacobszoon Drebbel. The submersible was described as a wooden rowboat encased by leather. He overcame the issue of a continuous air supply while submerged.
1680: Giovanni Borelli later made another significant contribution to the modern submarine we know of today. He had the idea of using sheep skins as a type of ballast. These skins were filled with water causing the submarine to descend. This same idea is used in modern ships and submarines.
1776: It wasn't until much later that the submarine was used for offensive naval reasons. The Turtle submarine built by David Bushnell was a one-man human powered submarine. The hand powered sub allowed the operator to attach an explosive to the underneath of a ship. Although Bushnell was an American graduate of Yale, this design impacted submersible design globally.
1798: Completed in 1801, the submarine Nautilus had a similar purpose as its predecessor, the Turtle. Robert Fulton designed this submarine on a grant from Napoleon Bonaparte. The one modification made to this design was the incorporation of both a sail for surface propulsion, as well as a man powered propeller for when the vessel was submerged.
1895: Almost a century later, the first mechanically powered submersible vessel came into existense. John P. Holland introduced both the Holland VII and later the Holland VIII. These submarines alllowed for prolonged cruiing as well as increased speed. Petroleum engines powered the submarine while on the surface, while electric motors propelled the vessel whil submerged. Also, a few years later in 1904, the French Aigette was similar submarine that used diesel instead of peutoleum. This was a huge leap towards the modern-day design of submarines.
1943: Another significant modification in submarine design was the incorporation of the snorkel. This allowed the powerful deisel engines to de used while submerged. The only downside to this feature was the limited depth. The first boat to use this was also the first in a long line of succesful submarines. The German U-Boat U-264 was one of the first German vessels to successfully use this design. This progression allowed submarines to come to the forefront of naval warfare.
1954: The true moden submarine truly came into existence in the early 50's. The United States launched the first nuclear powered submarine, the USS Nautilus. This innovative power source allows the subs to be more deadly than ever before. The issue of refueling or surfacing is nearly completly taken out of the equation. in the later 50's small design issues were tweeked. These included the introduction of the tear-drop hull shape. The USS Albacore was the first sub to use this design. In 1959, however, the USS George Washington brought ballistic missile onto submarines, once again improving the arsenal on these deadly machines. These designs were quickly incorporated in European subs.
Subs have continued to grow in size, as well as power. These machines are some of the most advanced and stealthy technology on the planet. What started as an invention that barely got off the ground, is now one of the worlds most formidable weapons prowling the seas. With their capabilities and possibilities, the submarine will continue to advance.
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http://www.uboat.net/boats/u264.htm
http://www.submarine-history.com/NOVAnautilus.gif
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-57465/submarine#521551.hook
http://naval-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_turtle_first_combat_submarine
http://inventors.about.com/od/timelines/tp/SubmarineTimeline.htm